Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I just recently got a 12 week old yorkie puppy named Monty. We already had a 3 year old named Chico and were hoping that they would keep each other company. Unfortunaltely Chico has not taken to the puppy. The puppy always wants to play with Chico and will run to him if given the opportunity. Initially there was a lot of growling and snapping but the puppy would flop around on his belly submitting to Chico but the last few times they have been around each other Chico has actually bitten Monty. Chico was adopted about a year and a half ago and has just recently gotten more socialized with people but despite being around other dogs he has always been wary of them. We were hoping that the puppy would not be threatening to him. Is there anything that we can do to help these guys get along? Should we punish or scold Chico for bitting the puppy? It just seems strange that it is getting worse instead of better. Is there any hope of these guys ending up buddies?

Thanks,
Alex

Are they both males? It was hard to determine that with your post.

It's tought to get an older dog to really "enjoy" living with a puppy. Puppies are tenatious, annoying, and rude. Eventually, they do tend to work through it though. Don't interefere unless you think the puppy is in real danger of being hurt very badly. It may look and sound bad, but unless physical contact is made, a lot of it is just 'trash talk" and it will get better as the rules are established.

One thing to note though, if both these dogs are males, your work will be harder. Terriers tend not to enjoy dogs of the same gender. There will probably always be bickering and you may live in a home where you "manage" these two and they may never become "buddies." If they get to the point of drawing blood on eachother, take it seriously that they are not getting along and you will have to have an expert intervene and watch the interaction in person.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

>>Hi I just recently got a 12 week old yorkie puppy named Monty. We already had a 3 year old named Chico and were hoping that they would keep each other company. Unfortunaltely Chico has not taken to the puppy. The puppy always wants to play with Chico and will run to him if given the opportunity. Initially there was a lot of growling and snapping but the puppy would flop around on his belly submitting to Chico but the last few times they have been around each other Chico has actually bitten Monty. Chico was adopted about a year and a half ago and has just recently gotten more socialized with people but despite being around other dogs he has always been wary of them. We were hoping that the puppy would not be threatening to him. Is there anything that we can do to help these guys get along? Should we punish or scold Chico for bitting the puppy? It just seems strange that it is getting worse instead of better. Is there any hope of these guys ending up buddies?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Alex

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Terrier experts recommend that you not keep two terriers of the same sex together. This may very well turn into bloody fighting as the pup matures.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47